If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You will have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Originally Posted by Noctemwolf

Spoiler

Show

Trying to draw Vinyl's DJ table.

I missed this one the first time around,
The DJ table looks alright, but the perspective is off on the turntables, as it is now, they look lopsided. I can't help but get the feeling you didn't use a ruler for your lines.
Perspective is annoyingly simple. Yet hard to get right. I struggle with it myself.

It's hard to explain, so I tried doodling on your image. But then messed up myself.

Spoiler

Show

But here it is. I hope you don't mind, but it's just easier to show rather then explain these things through words alone.

Basically, if the lines (A and B) representing the end of the table touch the first turntable, then the other turntable must touch those lines. In your original drawing, both turntables touched line A, but the second one did not touch line B. I missed up with the turntable in the red and the perspective is still off. But the largest problem was that the second turntable wasn't touching line B.

At least that's the way I see it.
Someone else can probably explain it better then me, or poke holes in my reasoning. But this is something that I'm working on myself, so any comment on perspective would be welcome.

Originally Posted by Dispozition

It's always appreciated to get feedback (:

With skin, the biggest help I've found is porn...Or at least artistic nudes. Seeing skin in lots of different lighting conditions really, really helps your art. Photography is an awesome tool for learning art, mostly because it captures certain things just right for you to mimic.

Also practice...Lots of practice :P

So your basically telling me to watch porn for practice?

Spoiler

Show

Originally Posted by the_druid_droid

This is excellent, and my only regret is that I didn't think of it first!

Thanks!
This fandom moves fast, sometimes I get a good idea for a concept but then someone else has already done it, but better.

Originally Posted by SiuiS

But... For me, the outcome is vital. SiuiS too. Whether for good or ill, we actually stop, right in the middle of a work, and come back when we have the improved skillset to handle it. Because practice is practice, and that's fine. But something intended to be a finished work...

I do this all the time. It's always good to know that I'm not insane or odd!
I have some lineart of a Twilight and Spike scene that had multiple light sources which I put away as I wasn't too sure how to do the shading. I may go back to it if I ever figure it out.
And I agree with the distinction between practice and a finished work that you want to really make shine.

Originally Posted by Diego Havoc

Spoiler

Show

Success? (Ignore that dinosaur looking one near the bottom right ¬_¬)

These mouths and jaws look better! My only comment is that it looks like you can see the other side of the mouth in the profile view, at least I think, the line is faint so that may be just a guide line.
If it is, ignore this comment and keep up the good work!

Hmmm... My Little T-Rex....

Originally Posted by Diego Havoc

That's seriously awesome.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by the_druid_droid

Some pony expression sketches, inspired by similar ones on the dA ATG group:

Spoiler

Show

These are awesome! More expressive ponies are something I need to work on myself.
Also, Spike's expression is priceless.

Well here be works in progress,

Spoiler

Show

The ponies lack shading as it is and ignore the window I haven't got to it, and the lines on that cottage still need to be fixed. But here is the scene as it stands.
I was inspired by The Windmill at Wijk, and wanted to do a similar cloudy lightening scene. In the back, storm clouds are gathering. Thanks to perspective, they are also gathering around Twists head. A bit heavy handed, but I'm a heavy-handed guy. The clouds, are some of the best non-night clouds I have ever done!! Which means they still need a lot of work. I'm somewhat pleased with them, but they aren't done in the same the same still as the rest of the picture. Some thoughts on this may be needed.
I still don't know about those two background ponies. I may move them off to the side after all. Or just destroy the male and have the female looking off the other way. Any memory she had of her lifelong friend erased as if he never existed.
I have a good feeling about this picture, though. Even if I'm unsure on the scene make up. I hope I don't ruin it.

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Originally Posted by Bakuel

These are awesome! More expressive ponies are something I need to work on myself.
Also, Spike's expression is priceless.

Thankee! I really love conspiratorial!Spike myself. I pulled all the shots in this one from Green Isn't Your Color, and I'll probably try it again later with a different episode. It's actually a lot of fun, and I highly recommend it!

Well here be works in progress,

Spoiler

Show

The ponies lack shading as it is and ignore the window I haven't got to it, and the lines on that cottage still need to be fixed. But here is the scene as it stands.
I was inspired by The Windmill at Wijk, and wanted to do a similar cloudy lightening scene. In the back, storm clouds are gathering. Thanks to perspective, they are also gathering around Twists head. A bit heavy handed, but I'm a heavy-handed guy. The clouds, are some of the best non-night clouds I have ever done!! Which means they still need a lot of work. I'm somewhat pleased with them, but they aren't done in the same the same still as the rest of the picture. Some thoughts on this may be needed.
I still don't know about those two background ponies. I may move them off to the side after all. Or just destroy the male and have the female looking off the other way. Any memory she had of her lifelong friend erased as if he never existed.
I have a good feeling about this picture, though. Even if I'm unsure on the scene make up. I hope I don't ruin it.

*snip*

Looks like it's shaping up! Re: clouds - I think they're looking good, but they seem a little striped(?); somehow there's a linear effect going on, and they might fit better if it was smoothed out, though I'm not sure...

I actually think the ponies in the background work, or at least I have no issues with them, just looking casually. I'd keep them around until it shapes up a bit more, just to see how the full effect works.

This Machine Surrounds Hate And Forces It To Surrender

Originally Posted by Anarion

DD, your unicorn is stronger, prettier, and higher-ranking than mine, and her secret lab has a better name than mine. THERE SHALL BE NO QUARTER.

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Yes, I'm ignoring my own advice. Mostly because I want to publicly clear this with a certain robotic nature priest.

Of Clockwork Ponies, part one

Having recently had the chance to examine a unique pony specimen of mechanical nature, I took to not only studying but also illustrating what of the systems I could. The subject, Second Hand, is eager to learn about his own nature and make-up, and so these notes are to help him as much as myself.

1. The Pelvis

I decided to start with the parts of the pony most accessible with minimum damage; seeing as the pelvis has almost-visible bolts, I began there. Featured in this illustration is Dat Plot;

Spoiler

Show

the outer metals are contoured so as to more seamlessly blend in with nonmechanical ponyfolk. Further study shows They also serve a mechanical purpose; the interior thigh mechanisms sit on floating plates, so as to allow the legs to rotate along their central axis. The rounding provides the necessary room for the mechanisms, and for additional pieces.

The tail, held firmly by a tube of concentric metal rings of different composition (possibly as heat sink?) is some sort of synthetic musculature, akin to fiber optic cables. Biopsy showed small nodes evenly spaced throughout each fiber and fiber cluster in varying patterns, which immediately clenched when exposed to light. Alternate illumination sources show they react subtly to heat and light, allowing the internal components of the pony to power them much like some of the more dexterous Earth race can use their tails.

There was also a hard case and tubing at the bottom I left alone out of prudence. It seems to contain a hydraulics system, as does the neck, central trunk and forelegs - all systems beyond my current level of "vivisection".

Here we see the actual, open pelvis;

Spoiler

Show

The central turn wheel powers most of the pony's locomotion. A side peg offset from center creates the piston effect of the rear legs used during bucking motions, while an adjustable sliding gear panel on the side plate (the 'flank') works to turn the rotation of he main gear into forward/backward motion through a bow-shaped slot cut into the thigh plate. In my notes I refer to this as the "rear smile" as the shape occurs a lot throughout the pony.

Not pictured are the complicated gear mechanisms which occupy the sacrum of the pony, with the fiber optics descending around the mechanism proper and between it's driving arms as they connect to the actual leg; Second Hand is capable of shifting gear ratios to alter his output.

The mechanisms were too small and complex for me to actually examine or detail, however. I accidentally popped out a single sprocket and the whole collapsed. It took three hours to reverse the damage; a finer touch is needed to examine (note to self: enquire as to Tinker's availability for examination during subsequent sessions)

My illustration does poor justice to the highly calibrated system; the rear cop protects from dirt and weather getting Ito the mechanism, and the straightened lower end of the thigh plate ends in another bow which connects to a dongle-style bearing system. The center of the cannon contains a motor box, which receives electric impulses through the thigh plate itself (I discovered too late to pursue that most of the pony contained "impurities" in the exterior material to act as scondary and tertiary circuitry!) and is held stable by a series of calibrated springs on either side which fasten to the pegs on the bottoms of the thigh plate. The dongle itself (the only part of the motor box I could open without risking damage) contains a rubber bow below a pivot, held on either side by stiff rubber grooves and a strange emulsion I was unable to identify. Second Hand informed me this fluid was important for full functionality, but that he had spare cartridges and could operate without for several hours if needed - contaminants would cause complex chemical reactions, but I'd kept pure it operated as an insulator and shock absorber. What of the fluid I could salvage from my clumsy mishap will be studied at a later date.

Connected to the motor box is a pulley system which pulls the cannon up and down for locomotion, and a secondary hydraulic system operates his hoof, which can move with roughly 85% the mobility of a living pony. The seemingly large difference is because the 1-2 degree difference adds up when he can only move the hoof in one direction at once (a nimble enough pony can use composite movements to push, turn and extend the hoof simultaneously).

One thing to note is that Second Hand does not seem to have any knees. The knee motion actually takes place as part of a larger movement within the hip itself. A poorly laid out "walking animation" follows, demonstrating why I am a magician and not an engineer.

Spoiler

Show

3. The Head
Second Hand's head was a marvel. The surface "skin" contains plates of a strangely mobile, ductile material which is seamless with a small current going through it. I was disturbed in fact to find that when put under sedation, the subject's face broke into a series of thin protective plates!

Spoiler

Show

Immediately noticeable is the large bolt at the jaw, which is invisible before sedation. The snout, side mouth plates, and zygomatic plates all serve to produce life-like facial expressions - a term I hesitate to use, as everything I have seen points to Second Hand being very much alive.

At the top of his head is the mane field, a series of large pores. When the release clamps were disengaged and his head was removed, the actual mane retreated into the anterior neck tubes (I suspect due to a similar reaction as the tail fibers). This is good, as it gives a mess-free way of getting to the entire cranium.

The ears are marvels of acoustics, using not only different contours but different materials to alternately reflect or absorb certain sounds. I am positive that certain ear positions on the subject's part would serve to 'tune out' certain sounds in much the same way a pony can ignore those it doesn't want to focus on. Sadly, I snapped a cable when removing the subject's left ear, and had difficulties getting the fuse to snap back in as well. He reported no difference after awakening, but I expect to hear back from him at some point.

Also of interest is the eye system of the pony itself - the cranium is mostly hollow, allowing only for the complex eye circuitry. Each eye is a marvel of engineering, being a highly clear crystal sphere with a central imperfection, set into a six-petal flower-like device. The pupil is actually a very small dilating gate that leads into the ocular stem, and is magnified by the crystal to appear the proper size.

The petals themselves seem to be made of a good alloy, and lined with Circuits of orichalc, shakudō, and Even griferrous hydroxide! I left them well enough alone, and proceeded to examine the sphere itself.

The crystal was unidentifiable, but scrutiny revealed it somehow had what I can only describe as a hypercube overlaid with a Coltic knot as an imperfection carved in it's very center. I obviously questioned how such a feat could be achieved, but had to cease as even my naturally delicate telekinetic handling of the sphere was enough to begin scuffing it's polish. Luckily, I had material to take care of it. I wasn't careful enough during reassembly and achieved a thankfully short/lived migraine while reinserting the eye.

The subject had at this time begun to show signs of reawakening. Seeing that being in such a state of disassembly would be bad for the subject's mental Health, I quickly reassembled him and saw to his comfort via positioning.

4. Overview
One of the key discoveries was that Second Hand's head does not hold his "brain". Not as such, anyway, or not as a single discrete organ. However, the entire system seems to be criss-crossed with redundant circuitry, and the torso showed signs of housing organ-like systems. Energy signatures also point to technology which touches on adjoining planar states; if some of Second Hand's circuitry an extend into the spiritual planes, he may very well have a soul in a way that would be easier to account for than with a regular organic pony!

Most of this information has been shared with the subject, and now that one procedure has been accomplished with no deleterious effects (as yet), we are considering broaching the topic of examining his deeper systems. The hydraulic workings, specifically, and his "organs", provided such can be done without causing harm.

All our data will be collated and combed over in excruciating detail over the next few weeks while we wait to hear back from the subject about any symptoms or signs of poor procedure. If we hear nothing in a month, we will evaluate the possible health concerns of deeper study. In the mean-time, Second Hand has been compensated for his help, and was thankful for the polishing of the interiors, as the hips now work as good as at manufacture, he claims.

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Has anyone ever been inspired by another work in an entirely different art form and created their own thing based off of it? Or, more specifically, based off the name of the other work? The mind is a very strange and wonderful thing. I used this as a chance to work on legs and a new angle for the face, too.

Spoiler

Show

It also occurred to me that this is only the second pegasus I've drawn, her and War from the biblipocaponies, so the wings probably need some work.

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Most impressive SiuiS. How long did it take you to do all that?

Originally Posted by Derjuin

Has anyone ever been inspired by another work in an entirely different art form and created their own thing based off of it? Or, more specifically, based off the name of the other work? The mind is a very strange and wonderful thing. I used this as a chance to work on legs and a new angle for the face, too.

Spoiler

Show

It also occurred to me that this is only the second pegasus I've drawn, her and War from the biblipocaponies, so the wings probably need some work.

Very nice. One point that I notice is that the legs seem a bit small. Not only short, but narrow too. But other than that she looks pretty cool!

Day 31, and 2nd day of drawing with a tablet.

Spoiler

Show

I find that I have to switch between pen and mouse frequently to get anything done. Brush strokes with the pen, erase with the mouse, vector tool with pen, switch tools with mouse etc.

Just call me Diego. Mr. Havoc was my father.

Spoiler: About Me

Show

Originally Posted by SiuiS

Diego Havoc, one of the hoopier froods I've met, up there with DeLancie.

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

I find that I have to switch between pen and mouse frequently to get anything done. Brush strokes with the pen, erase with the mouse, vector tool with pen, switch tools with mouse etc.

Why so much switching? Is it that you don't feel comfortable enough with the pen yet, or is something preventing you from controlling the mouse with the pen input? If it's the latter, there should definitely be a way to do so; usually it's simply hovering farther from the tablet surface while moving around.

This Machine Surrounds Hate And Forces It To Surrender

Originally Posted by Anarion

DD, your unicorn is stronger, prettier, and higher-ranking than mine, and her secret lab has a better name than mine. THERE SHALL BE NO QUARTER.

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Originally Posted by the_druid_droid

Why so much switching? Is it that you don't feel comfortable enough with the pen yet, or is something preventing you from controlling the mouse with the pen input? If it's the latter, there should definitely be a way to do so; usually it's simply hovering farther from the tablet surface while moving around.

Just not quite comfortable with it yet. It's simply much easier for me to click icons or do precision work with the mouse than it is with the pen right now.

Just call me Diego. Mr. Havoc was my father.

Spoiler: About Me

Show

Originally Posted by SiuiS

Diego Havoc, one of the hoopier froods I've met, up there with DeLancie.

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Originally Posted by Diego Havoc

Just not quite comfortable with it yet. It's simply much easier for me to click icons or do precision work with the mouse than it is with the pen right now.

Just use the tablet. Do a browsing session with it. You get used to it pretty quickly. Also if there are shortcut keys on the tablet, abuse them like nothing else. The more you use a tool in PS or something similar, the more reason it has to be a on a macro key.

And a general tip for drawing with tablets, long, broad, confident strokes. Don't do many small ones, do fewer large ones. You're working in digital, so you can undo mistakes you make. When I do lineart, each line will take anywhere from 5-30 tries to get right.

Also make sure pressure sensitivity is turned on, or there's not any real point in using a tablet over the mouse. And when it is, try to choose an oversized brush and apply less pressure. You eventually get to the point where you can use a single brush for an entire picture just because you can control the pressure well enough.

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Originally Posted by Dispozition

Just use the tablet. Do a browsing session with it. You get used to it pretty quickly. Also if there are shortcut keys on the tablet, abuse them like nothing else. The more you use a tool in PS or something similar, the more reason it has to be a on a macro key.

Did some browsing. AWKWARD.

I have 4 shortcut keys. One is already set to undo. What else should I have? There's also a scroll/zoom wheel built in.

Originally Posted by Dispozition

When I do lineart, each line will take anywhere from 5-30 tries to get right.

You're not really selling it here, yknow?

Originally Posted by Dispozition

Also make sure pressure sensitivity is turned on, or there's not any real point in using a tablet over the mouse. And when it is, try to choose an oversized brush and apply less pressure. You eventually get to the point where you can use a single brush for an entire picture just because you can control the pressure well enough.

Alright, so, here's this practice stuff:

Spoiler

Show

Originally Posted by the_druid_droid

So what do you get when you cross SiuiS' excellent robo-anatomy study with a PbP god game that didn't quite get off the ground?

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Originally Posted by Diego Havoc

SEAN! YOU LIED TO ME!

Spoiler

Show

Ponies DO have that bulge where their bellies are!

Oy. *is ashamed*

Seriously though, that kind of bulge doesn't actually make much sense... although these are marshmallow ponies, and this is Pinkie Pie, so all bets on realism are off. (And do agree, it looks nothing like the rectangular pillar you've had even after the first correction.)

On closer analysis, I suppose the pose itself threw me off. Pinkie isn't actually sitting down in that shot, you can see that due to how even the blob shadow ends within the space between the legs and the ground. It's... not a position one would read a book in, unless in a very specific kind of place.

*retreats back into his fortress of quasi-realism, makes another note on silly anatomy of silly marshmallow ponies*

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Hmm, some of that may be that I was initially uncertain if he would be human, cyborg or robot... at the very least, he's an angel of a construct (demi-)god and so the symbols would be mechanical.

I have a somewhat cleaned version I'm playing with, where it's clearer that the wings are mechanical, but I'm not sure how to progress...

EDIT: Have a colored angel! (Warning - large)

Spoiler

Show

After sketching the outline, I decided I liked the roughness and thick lines, as they gave it a feel I couldn't think how to emulate any other way. So, rather than smooth things out, I used an intentionally kinda-sloppy coloring to try and stick with the style. Personally, I'm pretty happy with how it came out!

Last edited by the_druid_droid; 2012-02-01 at 11:31 PM.

This Machine Surrounds Hate And Forces It To Surrender

Originally Posted by Anarion

DD, your unicorn is stronger, prettier, and higher-ranking than mine, and her secret lab has a better name than mine. THERE SHALL BE NO QUARTER.

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Hmm, some of that may be that I was initially uncertain if he would be human, cyborg or robot... at the very least, he's an angel of a construct (demi-)god and so the symbols would be mechanical.

I have a somewhat cleaned version I'm playing with, where it's clearer that the wings are mechanical, but I'm not sure how to progress...

EDIT: Have a colored angel! (Warning - large)

Spoiler

Show

After sketching the outline, I decided I liked the roughness and thick lines, as they gave it a feel I couldn't think how to emulate any other way. So, rather than smooth things out, I used an intentionally kinda-sloppy coloring to try and stick with the style. Personally, I'm pretty happy with how it came out!

Okay, yeah that is pretty damn cool looking! I agree, the sketchy look really works for this pic.

Day 33

Spoiler

Show

Bland practice pony is unimpressed with your skills, Havoc.

Just call me Diego. Mr. Havoc was my father.

Spoiler: About Me

Show

Originally Posted by SiuiS

Diego Havoc, one of the hoopier froods I've met, up there with DeLancie.

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Okay, yeah that is pretty damn cool looking! I agree, the sketchy look really works for this pic.

Thanks! It's currently my desktop background.

Day 33

Spoiler

Show

Bland practice pony is unimpressed with your skills, Havoc.

Hmm, my suggestions would be to lower the point where the forehooves meet the body (the shoulder, I guess) just a bit, as well as lengthening the ears and making the tail a bit fuller. Otherwise, it looks like you're getting the hang of the tablet!

Also, posting this here as a reminder to myself in the future: once I get a little more comfortable drawing the human figure and working with color, I want to do some exploration of various druid (and yes, also droid at some point afterward) conceptions. Off the top of my head:

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

So what do you get when you cross SiuiS' excellent robo-anatomy study with a PbP god game that didn't quite get off the ground?

Sketches apparently...

Spoiler

Show

Deus Est Machina

Neat!

Also, god game?

Originally Posted by Diego Havoc

Did some browsing. AWKWARD.

I have 4 shortcut keys. One is already set to undo. What else should I have? There's also a scroll/zoom wheel built in.

You're not really selling it here, yknow?

I'm with you. You have to entirely UNLEARN HOW TO DRAW and then give it a go. Thanqol had it easy; he didn't have a firmly entrenched skill before migrating to a tablet. For you and I, though...

I will be honest. My level of skill is about as far as you'll get without getting comfortable with digital media. You will hit a point where more realism or more light play or more foundational blocks dont matter, and you will stagnate. It's better to lead this stuff now. Trust me.

I'm sorry
But your tail?
It looks like the pony is vomiting from his bum
And I can't stop laughing
Talking like Shatner
Memories of pseudo natural template
So hard to draw

Nicely done though. If this is your third tablet picture you're making leaps, and also bounds. I'm jealous.

Most impressive SiuiS. How long did it take you to do all that?

Missed this.
Approximately two hours, probably less. A lot of it was spent either looking at Sek so I could get it right, or pondering. I had some trouble mentally articulating things. Like the legs. A better design would be to have a hole, not a slot, that interacts with a second, free spinning wheel on the flank compartment. But spilt milk and all that.

A lot of the time was also sunk into exactly how to make it work together; to leave room for actual computery bits. But it all stemmed from seeing him draw Sek. I saw the rear legs and the articulation screamed and jumped out at me, clawing for birth through pencil. Imago.

... Huh.

I wonder if there's a way to make a Mage feel something so vividly, they cannot help but manifest it? I'll look into that...

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Originally Posted by SiuiS

Neat!

Also, god game?

Yeah, actually something else that was a consequence of ponythread (for me at least). My first one I found linked in Raz's sig. This was another, started up by one of the players of that game. I didn't quite make it through the opening because of stuff and things, but it was right after I came up with the idea for Sek, and I wanted to explore the whole 'robot seeking to understand himself' in another venue that was more grimdark. My character was going to be a construct (demi-)god, etc. This is a bit of a holdover from that.

oh man
Wow
Ok

I'm sorry
But your tail?
It looks like the pony is vomiting from his bum
And I can't stop laughing
Talking like Shatner
Memories of pseudo natural template
So hard to draw

It's like a long-form haiku!

This Machine Surrounds Hate And Forces It To Surrender

Originally Posted by Anarion

DD, your unicorn is stronger, prettier, and higher-ranking than mine, and her secret lab has a better name than mine. THERE SHALL BE NO QUARTER.

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

I'm sorry
But your tail?
It looks like the pony is vomiting from his bum
And I can't stop laughing
Talking like Shatner
Memories of pseudo natural template
So hard to draw

Nicely done though. If this is your third tablet picture you're making leaps, and also bounds. I'm jealous.

XD Dammit! I was thinking as was about to post it "Y'know, if you look at it the wrong way... that tail... hmm. Will they notice? Nah... but maybe I should change it?... But I've already uploaded it and Photobucket is being a pain right now... I'm sure it will be fine."

Strangely, I didn't even think of it as I was drawing it. I just thought "How can I make it look weirder? How about his tail is liquid?" Maybe if I'd coloured it, it would have looked more... uh, not gross?

Still, thanks for the complement. XD I'll change the tail later maybe.

Just call me Diego. Mr. Havoc was my father.

Spoiler: About Me

Show

Originally Posted by SiuiS

Diego Havoc, one of the hoopier froods I've met, up there with DeLancie.

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Hello all!*

I am writing this to inform you all that I will be departing temporarily. *This upcoming Tuesday, February the seventh, I will be on a plane to Texas to enter basic military training.
Of course, this means no Internet. So I bid a fond farewell to you all. Being here has meant a lot to me; it's. Even a place to lose stress, *but also one of much stress; reminding me of many of the flaws I have inbuilt that I need to deal with. Hopefully, my imminent demise at the hands of the training instructors can help alleviate this somewhat *(if you consider death a good Cure for... Well, anything really). *

(add to posts at giantitp)
I've enjoyed reading and following everything you guys do in here, the creativity and imagination is astounding to watch; it flows so naturally throughout here that it seems daunting, even! I hope to return to this great place at some point in the near future!*

Re: Ponythread Learns to Draw! Together!

Originally Posted by Diego Havoc

I have 4 shortcut keys. One is already set to undo. What else should I have? There's also a scroll/zoom wheel built in.

I have eight, although 4 of them are more for photo editing. Anyway...My main 4 are set to Undo many (so alt+ctrl+z in photoshop, since undo only does one step), B (for brush) E (for eraser) and Alt (for colour picker). Anything else and I sort of just mash the keyboard until I get the right button. But that's because I only work in shortcuts, I'll barely touch the toolbar unless I'm doing obscure tool changing like colour changer brush and different lassos and stuff.

You're not really selling it here, yknow?

I'm not trying to. I'm saying that good lineart takes time and dedication. You can't just draw 10 lines and have it be a full done lineart. Plus you want it looking good, rather than good enough.

Alright, so, here's this practice stuff:

Spoiler

Show

Looks like your sensitivity is too high. Your drop off rate is really, really fast. Although that could also be that your brush size is far too small. Use a brush that's too big, I normally use 13 in photoshop, but it depends on the size of the document, and use less pressure. The more pressure you use, the less smooth the line will get if you're not being very fast and precise (which is how you should be doing it anyway).

Also, if you're using Photoshop, turn on the graphics setting thingy in one of the menus...I'll give proper directions later if you want, so you can rotate the canvas freely like in SAI. Don't try and do it all at the normal angle, since your hand just isn't built to draw certain lines.